ETYM AS. fleax.
Any plant of the genus Linum, family Linaceae. The species L. usitatissimum is the cultivated strain; linen is produced from the fiber in its stems. The seeds yield linseed oil, used in paints and varnishes. The plant, of almost worldwide distribution, has a stem up to 60 cm/24 in high, small leaves, and bright blue flowers.
The residue of the seeds is fed to cattle. The stems are retted (soaked) in water after harvesting, and then dried, rolled, and scutched (pounded), separating the fiber from the central core of woody tissue. The long fibers are spun into linen thread, twice as strong as cotton, yet more delicate, and suitable for lace; shorter fibers are used to make twine or paper.
Annual world production of flax fiber amounts to approximately 60,000 metric tons, with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Latvia accounting for half of the total. Other producers are Belgium, the Netherlands, and N Ireland.
Made into thread and woven into linen fabric. + prikaži više

ETYM Prop. an adj from Old Eng. lin flax, AS. lîn flax, whence lînen made of flax.
1. A fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant.
2. A high-quality paper made of linen fibers or with a linen finish; SYN. linen paper.
3. White goods or clothing made with linen cloth.
Yarn spun and the textile woven from the fibers of the stem of the flax plant. Used by the ancient Egyptians, linen was introduced by the Romans to northern Europe, where production became widespread. Religious refugees from the Low Countries in the 16th century helped to establish the linen industry in England, but here and elsewhere it began to decline in competition with cotton in the 18th century.
To get the longest possible fibers, flax is pulled, rather than cut by hand or machine, just as the seed bolls are beginning to set. After preliminary drying, it is steeped in water so that the fiber can be more easily separated from the wood of the stem, then hackled (combed), classified, drawn into continuous fibers, and spun. Bleaching, weaving, and finishing processes vary according to the final product, which can be sailcloth, canvas, sacking, cambric, or lawn. Because of the length of its fiber, linen yarn has twice the strength of cotton, and yet is superior in delicacy, so that it is suitable for lace making. It mixes well with synthetics. + prikaži više